Lewis Hamilton expressed his determination to conclude the current season with Mercedes on a positive note, aiming to fulfill a childhood dream of racing for Ferrari in 2025.
The motorsport community was taken aback as the announcement of Britain’s seven-time Formula One world champion signing a multi-year deal with Ferrari came on Thursday.
In a Saturday Instagram post, the 39-year-old Lewis Hamilton expressed that the decision felt right, drawing parallels to his move from McLaren to Mercedes at the end of 2012.
“I feel incredibly fortunate, after achieving things with Mercedes that I could only have dreamed of as a kid, that I now have the chance to fulfil another childhood dream. Driving in Ferrari red,” he wrote.
“Mercedes has been a huge part of my life since I was 13 years old, so this decision has been the hardest I’ve ever had to make,” he added.
Hamilton emphasized that the timing was opportune for embracing a new challenge in his racing career.
“I still remember the feeling of taking a leap of faith into the unknown when I first joined Mercedes in 2013,” he recalled.
“I know some people didn’t understand it at the time but I was right to make the move then and it’s the feeling I have again now. I’m excited to see what I can bring to this new opportunity and what we can do together.”
Ferrari has been without a drivers’ title since 2007, the same year when Hamilton, in his remarkable debut with McLaren, narrowly missed clinching the championship by a single point.
Securing his inaugural title with McLaren in 2008, Hamilton went on to achieve subsequent victories with Mercedes. With a record 103 wins, he stands as the most successful driver in the sport. Despite his last victory in December 2021, Hamilton stated that his focus is not currently on 2025.
“My focus is on the upcoming season and getting back out on track with Mercedes,” he said. “I am more driven than ever, I am fitter and more focussed than ever and I want to help Mercedes win once again.
“I am 100% committed to the job I need to do and determined to end my partnership with the team on a high.”
The record 24-race season starts in Bahrain on March 2.
